The town of Tawonga is in the Kiewa Valley surrounded by farmland. it is adjacent to Mt Beauty (built from 1946), an SECV town built for the workers on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme which was being constructed from 1911 to 1961. Tawonga consisted of essential amenities including a store, school, butter factory, sporting facilities, post office, hall and hotel. Activities involved sport, social get togethers eg. dances, fundraising, CWA etc. The posters are a collection of historical photos, documentations and information regarding the history of the town of Tawonga, which is the centre of a farming community in the Kiewa Valley.Posters framed with thin black plastic strip, covered by glass. Each one has a title re "Tawonga Remembers" and includes print and photos in black and white. White background. 1. Where and How Kiewa Valley Soldiers Served; 2. Tawonga and Dederang Servicemen; 3. Kergunyah and Gundowring Servicemen and Women; 4. Kiewa and Tangambalanga Servicemen.5. Sacrifice and Honour; 6. The End of the Great War; 7. World War 1914-18; 8. Soldiers in Uniform (Black background and glass cracked) tawonga, photos of early tawonga, kiewa valley, tawonga remembers, ww1

Frank Hurley (1885-1962) was an Australian photographer and adventurer. He participated in trips to Antartica and was an official photographer with the Australian forces during both world wars. This book was first published in 1955.Photographs include the Hume Reservoir, Mt Buffalo and the Alpine High Country of Mt Kosciusko. (pages 140-144) All are associated with the type of country at each end of the Kiewa River. The Kiewa River flows into the Murray River just below the Hume Dam and Mt Buffalo and Mt Kosciusko are part of the Alpine High country near the Bogong High Plains. Clare Roper lived on a farm in the Kiewa Valley.Blue hard cover, bound book with the title in gold at the top. 208 pages. Mostly Black & white photos but some coloured.Inside back of first page - written 'Clare Roper'frank hurley photographer, australian photography, clare roper

These type of gaiters were used by soldiers who would have been attached to the Light Horse Regiments. No other men other than soldiers in the Light Horse Regiments wore these gaiters as they were part of their uniform and added protection of their lower legs when riding their horses. All levels for AIF people wore these gaiter from Privates to Officers. There seems to be several types of gaiters which were lace ups or had straps over the outside of the gaiters or some were just done up with the buckles at the top. It is unknown it the ones we have would have had straps on the outside or if this was a choice of the wearer. Towards the end of WWI many of the light horse regiments combined with each other as their numbers became less and eventually with the advancement of military weapons the use of horses in war battles become less and were not needed in consequent world wars. These gaiters are historical significant to world war one and the light horse regiments especially the 4th and 13th Regiments. Men from the the Kiewa Valley went off to war and fought with the these regiments. Henry Higginson fought with both the 4th and 13th LHR in France. Sydney Stewart fought with the 4th LHR in France and was killed in France aged 20 years of age. A few of the young men that left from Tawonga in the Kiewa Valley went into the Light Horse Regiments as they were farmers that had experience with horse. Even though the AIF said they just did not automatically put country men into the LHR . Despite not having provenance of these gaiters the fact that men from Tawonga were in the light horse regiments, and only men from the LHR wore these gaiters it would be safe to say they would have been from some one in the local area that fought in WWI who owned these. Therefore they are representative of gaiters from the LHR and have excellent interpretive capacity as KVHS have a photo of Henry Higginson wearing his uniform which clearly shows his gaiters similar to these ones.One pair of brown leather gaiters with buckle at top. Seam at ankel. Left gaiter has strap missingmilitary, army, horse, gaiters

This item was manufactured in a period where the cheapest containers for portable equipment was canvas. The market place for cheap cameras was still restricted to European, England and its colonies. It was well before the post World War II explosion of the Asian manufacturing juggernaut.This item shows one of the most popular avenues of not only bringing new "modern" age equipment into the Kiewa Valley but also providing the local market with actual overseas inexpensive merchandise. It was a time when the new European fashion and "new age" equipment took years to permeate into regional Australia. The world, through Australia eyes, was still a very large planet and supply of "modern" lifestyle equipment emphasised the geographic isolation of Australia. Post World War II emigrants and an increasing flow of tourists to Australia provided the contact needed by rural settlements to open up not only their social contacts but lifestyle activities.Canvas, yellow, cream in color and with a weave pattern on the external side. It has stitched brown laminated fabric boarders containing all ends and corners. A flap opening top fastened on one side by a large press stud (15mm). A brown coloured leather carry strap (adjustable and 10mm wide) fasted at either of the longitudinal ends of the bag.camera, case photography, hobby, personal equipment

This item is a cheap Penny Whistle made in Thailand Circa 1955. The item was one of the first wave of imports from the growing Asian steel producers. This was an era where cheaper Asia based steel companies did not compete against the stronger, and well established Australian ones. This Penny Whistle was "roughly" made and possibly purchased by the Victorian Education Department for use in school bands and music classes. Schools within the Kiewa Valley would have used them to integrate students the fundamentals of reading music and playing basic musical scores. Later conversion from steel to plastics would have been more conducive to multiple users in a classroom environment (more hygienic and rust proof.This item shows how the "cheaper" invasion of all types of manufactured goods from the Asian regions have altered the purchasing patterns of rural Australians(the more traditional consumer). The cost imbalance of purchasing from "The Mother Country (England)" or European supply versus the Asian manufacturers was due to not only the financial pressures post World War II but also in the elimination of Tariff restrictions placed on non favoured suppliers.This tin Penny Whistle is made from rolled tin(steel), cylindrical in shape, with a wooden Fipple plug at the mouth end and six note holes starting half way down the front side evenly spaced and ending 35mm from the bottom. This whistle is in the key of D"G steel & Co. D"music, wind instruments, whistle, celtic music

This medal was issued to commemorate the end of World War 2 and was issued to eligible living veterans or their widows/widowers.It comes in a black card and fabric lined box. It has been issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs.This medal was awarded to Ernest Henry Swan. He served from December 1941 to July 1942 in the Citizen Military Forces and from July 1942 to September 1944 in the Australian Imperial Forces. His reason for discharge was reserved occupation. He held the rank of corporal in 26th Motor regiment. He was born in Colac 19/11/1919 to Ernest Swan and Daisy Johnson. He died 04/08/2009 and is buried at the Warrnambool cemetery. During his life he farmed a soldiers’ settlers block in the Grasmere area, north of Warrnambool. A common object with over 300000 minted but with a link to a local person and commemorating an event of world importance.Gold metal round medal with Australian coat of Arms on one side and stylised image of outline of Australia on the obverse side. Mounted in black card box.World War 11 Service to Australia. World War 11 60years 1945-2005warrnambool, ernest swan, 60th anniversary medallion ww2

This Melbourne Sun newspaper of May 8, 1945 contains details of the surrender of Germany in World War Two. The first surrender document was signed at Rheims, France by representatives of Germany, Britain, Russia, France and the United States of America. This paper has no local significance but the event it describes (the end of the war in Europe in May 1945) is of signal importance in world history and affected all in Australia at the time and still does today. The newspaper will be of interest to researchers and useful for display. This is a Melbourne newspaper (The Sun News-Pictorial 1945). It has 16 pages and is printed in black print on a white (now creamy-coloured) background. It has the news of the end of the war in Europe with the surrender of Germany. The newspaper includes black and white photographs, advertisements, cartoons, comic strips and a crossword puzzle. world war two, v.e. day, warrnambool, history

This document is an order of Service for Thanksgiving for peace celebrations after the first World War. It was used at civic or United services throughout Australia. It contains prayers and hymns. This would have been a common object when it was printed in 1919 and would have been used by communities all over Australia to celebrate the declaring od peace at the end of World War 1.Eight page program . White paper with black text. Commonwealth of Australia Coat of Arms at top of page.warrnambool, peace service 1914-1918, commonwealth of australia peace service

This is a programme of the Warrnambool City Council Civic & Thanksgiving Official Service on November 1918. The service was held in the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens, conducted by the Ministers of the Churches in Warrnambool and led by the combined choirs of the churches. It was a public occasion held to offer thanksgiving for the end of World War One in November 1918. One of the hymns sung had the opening lines: ‘O God of Love, O King of Peace/Make wars throughout the world to cease’. The service was attended by the Mayor of Warrnambool and the City Councillors and Council employees. World War One was a signal event in the history of Warrnanmbool (as it was for all places in Australia) with so many young men volunteering for active service and so many dying overseas.This programme is of great interest as it records an important occasion in Warrnambool – the end of World War One and the official service of thanksgiving that commemorated this happening. This is a programme for the Warrnambool City Council Civic & Thanksgiving Official Service in November 1918. It is a sheet of buff-coloured paper folded in two to make four pages. There is blue printed material on three of the pages. The front page has the City of Warrnambool crest printed in blue with blue edging on the page and some ornamental patterns. The inside pages has a blue sketch of the flags of Australia and Britain. The programme is faded and creased and a little blotched.warrnambool city council, history of warrnambool, world war one

Germany was governed by the Nazi party during WW2 /1939 to 1945. Fighting a war on many fronts bought about Germanys down fall. The German Navy was a very modern Navy and her Uboat fleet was very active in controlling the seas during the early years of the War and very large Battleships including the Bismark.Short lengthed dagger ,double edged and etched blade with orange swirlled handle and eagle on the tip of handle.Eagle creast with Nazi insignia in the clawers of the eagle/Anchor inbedded in the hilt/WKC and knights helmet stamped on the hilt end of the blade/blade etching contains sailing ship/anchor and floral decoration.ww2, nazi, germany, naval, dagger

A framed poster which has the records of Australian Voluntary effort in the Great War of 1914 to 1919. It comprises photos of the main Generals in charge at the end of the War and the unit colour patches and our casultiesCopy Righted J W Sanders ( Late AIF )

This Collar is part of the uniform worn by Sister Winifred Ride during World War 2. Nurses played a key role in the conflict through their care and compassion to the servicemen who were wounded and sick.The nurses uniform is symbolic of the sacrifice and service of the many women who served their country in WW2. Cream Cotton Shirt Collar with buttonhole to attach the collar to shirt with stud. One button hole on each end of collar band for shirt stud fastenerSize "131/2" printed on neck band underside. Name of owner "W.M. RIDE" printed on top side of neck band.

Hard Cover with colourfully Illustrated Dust Cover.Published for the Australian Military Forces By Australian War Memorial Canberra, ACT. 1945ww2. new guinea. war's end.

The object is historically and socially significant as it shows the opening of Heroes Avenue (Avenue of Honor) three years after the end of Word War I. The trees planted in the Avenue came from the Nobelius Nursery.Photograph mounted on card of the opening of Heroes Avenue, Emerald on ANZAC Day 1921. Showing Mrs Mahony cutting the ribbon.Mrs Mahony, wife of Shire President, cutting the ribbon. ANZAC Day 1921 Heroes Aveanzac, heroes avenue, avenue of honor, emerald

The object is historically and socially significant as it shows the opening of Heroes Avenue (Avenue of Honor) three years after the end of Word War I. The trees planted in the Avenue came from the Nobelius Nursery.Photograph mounted on card of the opening of Heroes Avenue, Emerald on ANZAC Day 1921. Showing The newly planted memorial trees..View of Heroes Avenue showing Memorial Trees. ANZAC Day 1921 Heroes Aveanzac, heroes avenue, avenue of honor, emerald

The object is historically and socially significant as it shows the opening of Heroes Avenue (Avenue of Honor) three years after the end of Word War I. The trees planted in the Avenue came from the Nobelius Nursery.Photograph mounted on card of the opening of Heroes Avenue, Emerald on ANZAC Day 1921. Showing Lieutenant-Colonel Bladin addressing the gathering.Lieu-Col Bladin adressing gathering Miss Waters at piano. ANZAC Day 1921anzac, heroes avenue, avenue of honor, emerald

The object is historically and socially significant as it shows the opening of Heroes Avenue (Avenue of Honor) three years after the end of Word War I. The trees planted in the Avenue came from the Nobelius Nursery.Photograph mounted on card of the opening of Heroes Avenue, Emerald on ANZAC Day 1921. Showing Shire President Cr J Mahony opening the AvenueShire President Cr J Mahony, opens Heroes Avenue. ANZAC Day 1921anzac, heroes avenue, avenue of honor, emerald

The object is historically and socially significant as it shows the opening of Heroes Avenue (Avenue of Honor) three years after the end of Word War I. The trees planted in the Avenue came from the Nobelius Nursery.Photograph mounted on card of the opening of Heroes Avenue, Emerald on ANZAC Day 1921. Showing opening of Heroes AvenueSchool Children, Diggers + Speakers ect. People of Emerald. Opening of Heroes Avenue, ANZAC Day 1921, School Masters' Residence in backgroundanzac, heroes avenue, avenue of honor, emerald

It is possible that this hat button was originally a shank button from a British World War One army tunic. Metal hat pin. Brass bobble on end shows British coat of arms.On back of button : Smith & ??? - Bir..........( possibly Smith & Wright -Birmingham)hat-pin hair-accessories

The detailed history of the Australian Independent Commando Companies.‘This Padre is able to tell of some exciting experiences that he encountered with the men as the sharp end troops with Sixth, Seventh and Ninth Divisions of 2nd A.I.F.’ Includes Roll of Honour Hard Cover with Dust Jacket – 309 pagesworld war ii, australian commando, independent companies, special forces

The history of the No. 2 Independent Commando Company and 2/2 Commando Squadron during World War II – scarce as a 1st edition dated 1986. Having completed its training at Foster, on Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria, the 2nd Independent Company was raised and travelled north to Katherine, in the Northern Territory. However, following Japan’s entry into the war, as with the other independent companies that were sent to the islands off Australia, the 2nd was sent to Timor, where it joined the 2/40th Battalion and the rest of Sparrow Force. Sparrow Force divided itself between west Timor, part of the Netherlands East Indies, and east Timor, which belonged to Portugal. The 2/40th Battalion defended the capital of west Timor, Koepang, and the airfield at Penfui. Most of the independent company moved to the airfield at Dili, in east Timor, and the nearby mountains. Portugal was opposed to the stationing of a Dutch or Australian garrison in case this provoked the Japanese, but despite this opposition, on 17 December 1941, elements of the 2nd Independent Company and Dutch troops landed near Dili. On 20 February 1942 the Japanese invaded the island, attacking east and west Timor simultaneously. The 2/40th Battalion held out for three days, but were overrun and were killed or captured. Similarly, the 2nd could not hold the airfield and were also driven back. But they were not captured and instead retreated to the mountains where they conducted a very successful and pursued a guerrilla war against the Japanese which lasted for over a year. Following the capture of Timor, the 2nd occupation the company was listed as “missing”, the company’s signallers were able to build a wireless transmitter, nicknamed ‘Winnie the War Winner’, and on 18/19 April were able to contact Darwin. At the end of May RAN vessels began landing supplies for the Australians on the south coast of east Timor. These supply runs were very dangerous but they allowed the Australians on Timor to continue fighting. In September the guerillas were reinforced with the 2/4th Independent Company. However, this could not go on indefinitely. In August the Japanese lunched a major offensive against the guerrillas and Japanese reprisals against the civilian population of east Timor reduced their support for the Australians. The 2nd (now named the 2/2nd Independent Company) and 2/4th were withdrawn in December and January 1943 respectively. Although the 2/2nd Independent Company is best known for its time on Timor, it also saw extensive service in New Guinea and New Britain. The independent company reformed at the army’s training centre at Canungra, Queensland, where it was reinforced and reequipped. The company then moved to the Atherton Tableland, where it briefly became part of the 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment. Due to this reorganisation, in October, the 2/2nd Independent Company was renamed the 2/2nd Cavalry (Commando) Squadron. This name was later simplified to just commando squadron. When this happened though, the 2/2nd was back in action. In June 1943 the 2/2nd sailed from Townsville for Port Moresby and was subsequently flown to Bena Bena, in the Bismark Range in New Guinea’s highlands. Here they supported the 2/7th Independent Company in patrolling the Ramu River area. In the second week of July the 2/2nd moved into position, with its headquarters at Bena Bena and with its platoons’ occupying neighbouring positions. By the end of the month their patrols were skirmishing with the Japanese. The 2/2nd remained in New Guinea until October 1944. After 90 days leave, the squadron reformed at Strathpine in Queensland before sailing to New Britain in April 1945. The 2/2nd landed at Jacquinot Bay on 17 April. The squadron then moved to Wide Bay, in order to support the 13th Brigade of the 5th Division, and was based at Lamarien. Following Japan’s surrender and the end of the war, the ranks of the squadron thinned quickly as men were discharged or transferred to other units. For those who were left, they returned to Australia and in early 1946 the 2/2nd Commando Squadron was disbanded. Includes Nominal Roll Soft Cover without Dust Jacket – 270 pages

Multi-fold brochure advertising public auction of one-acre, 2-acre, 5-acre and 8-acre allotments in Ringwood and Bayswater on Saturday 12th April, 1919. Brochure includes terms of sale, description of subdivision features and local facilities, and photographic images of the area.Subdivison includes Canterbury Road Heathmont, Armstrong Road Heathmont, Armstrong Road Bayswater, Bungalook Road Heathmont, Bungalook Road Bayswater, and Orchard Road Bayswater. Road shown as Bayswater Road to Bayswater became Mountain Highway Bayswater. Vendor: H.E.B.Armstrong, Auctioneers: Coghill & Haughton, 79 Swanston Street Melbourne, Telephone Central 2793, in conjunction with J.B. McAlpin, Ringwood, Opposite Station, Telephone Ringwood 7. (Map) Woodcock & McCormack, Civil Engineers Architects & Surveyors, 430 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, Phone 3241 Central. MOST OF THE MONEY COMES OUT OF THE LAND. And more money can be obtained from anb acre of fruit than from an acre of any other produce. But you do not have to grow fruit on Garden Farms Estate. You can go in for - Outer Suburban Home - Market Garden - Orchard - Pig Raising - Poultry Farm - Small Dairy Farm - Small Fruits - Floral Culture - Scent and Bee Farm - Or just for a Week-end Home. RINGWOOD - THE PLACE TO LIVE. The Beautiful Ringwood District has so many natural attractions, that half a Land Agent's work is done in just showing a prospective buyer round and about. Ringwood has a pull of its own that attracts folk, proved beyond doubt by its rapid development within the last decade (spite the war). First, it is high and healthy, picturesque and undulating, convenient of access, sufficiently close to the Metropolis for City and Business folk to live at Ringwood. Its development is solid, because most of its people are industrious husbandmen, real producers, who have turned idle hills into smiling gardens. These are the kind of real people to live amongst; ones who wear out their spades. The rapidly-developing town has excellent Stores, Trade and Repair Shops Churches, Banks, Telephone Exchange, Weekly General Market, Cool Stores, and good Private and State Schools, etc.; is Electrically lit, has Metropolitan Water Supply, and generally provides so that practically all shopping can be done locally. WHY RINGWOOD MUST GROW. Ringwood is a great centre and must be a greater. Two rapidly-developing railways junction here. The passengers from Ringwood Station cityward, in one year, number 250,000. Ringwood will be the terminus of the Outer Suburban Electric Eastern Railway. Its natural boundaries are the River Yarra on the North, Dandenong Creek on the South, the popular town of Croydon on the East, and the suburb of Mitcham on the West. This is a large territory that is steadily being converted from intense culture, and then it might be called (as regards its gardens) "The Devon Territory of Victoria." ARMSTRONG ROAD. This new road traverses Garden Farms Estate from its northern boundary on the main Canterbury Road, across Dandenong Creek, to its southern boundary on the main Bayswater Road, and will provide a long-desired additional link of communication between Bayswater and Ringwood. The 1-acre building sites on Bayswater Road are within 8 minutes' walk of the Bayswater Railway Station, and the Canterbury Road frontages are only 1-1/2 miles from Ringwood Station, and 1/2 mile from the Railway Station site of Canterbury Road; therefore, the whole Estate is easy of access and there should be a large demand for land so favourably placed. (Image) Cultivation Field - Potatoes on Lot 28 (Image) Picture of Bayswater Creek Flats. (Image) View from "Korumbeen" where Mr. Armstrong lived on Garden Farms Estate. Estate outlined in white ring. (Image) Site of New Bridge over Dandenong Creek. (Image) On one of the timbered lots adjoining railway. (Image) This Dandenong Creek traveres the Estate. (Image) Main Fern Tree Gully Line bisects the Estate.

Awarded to: School Children of the Commonwealth of Australia Other Details: Of the commemorative medals issued to mark the end of the First World War, the most common was the so-called 'Peace' or 'Victory' medal issued to every child in Australia aged 0-14 years (and aged up to 16 if parents were in the armed forces). The medal was designed by Charles Douglas Richardson, better known for his work as a sculptor. Time constraints as well as pressure from the production of other victory medals meant that no single manufacturer could make the 1,670,000 medals. Six were therefore selected: Amor, Stokes, Schlank, Parkes, Angus & Coote (who later withdrew) and Platers. The medals were silvered bronze, with silver issues for special presentations. The Defence Department supplied a red, white and blue striped ribbon and pin. Distribution began in March 1919. Victorian school children received their medals on Friday 18 July and on 'Peace Day' on Saturday 19 July.To commemorate the end of World War 1.Round white metal medals issued to mark the end of WW1. On the front "PEACE 1919", and on the reverse, "VICTORY", middle of the medal "THE TRIUMPH OF LIBERTY AND JUSTICE". on the bottom "THE PEACE OF 1919". With a plain edge.Peace with two flying doves on pedestal inscribed, PEACE / 1919 below AUSTRALIA; figure in chains on left and another entangled in bush to right (obverse) Australian sailor and soldier support wreath; above, VICTORY; within, THE / TRIUMPH / OF / LIBERTY / AND / JUSTICE; below on plaque, THE PEACE OF 1919(reverse)world war 1, peace, victory medal australia

This book was written by Gordon,V.Dean to document the history of his world war 11 experiences, from 1939 till the end of the war and his return to his hometown of Learmonth and finally back into the workforce.Detailing the experiences of our fighting men and the traumas they suffered.Paperback book,light beige in colour.Has photo of Lake Learmonth with Mount Saddleback in left background, in purple with imediately above a photo of Gordon Dean.The title is inscribed in an arch above photoand authors name is at the bottom.(the price of $12.00 is in the top right corner.)"One Day The Sun Will Shine". by Gordon Dean.gordon dean, world war 11 1939 45, wartime experiences

E. R. Watts and Son, makers of theodolites and other surveying instruments, of 123 Camberwell Road, London. The company was established in 1856 by Edwin Watts at twenty-three he had saved £100 from his earnings to start the business with his staff consisting of one boy and later Alexander Clarkson as an apprentice with the workshop a small room over a Bemondsey stable. Watts' first order was from Negretti and Zambra for a mining dial Alexander Clarkson In the early days the firm worked mainly on marine compasses. Edwin Watts would go down to the Docks to adjust the compasses once they had been installed on the ships. In May 1873 the business moved to larger premises a house with a garden. The workshop was also the home of Mr and Mrs Watts and their five sons and three daughters. By now there were fifteen to twenty men employed by the firm. The company were commissioned to supply the Theodolites and Levels for the construction to the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1881. Towards the end of the century, the firm began to make heliographs continuing to produce them for the government until just before the Second World War when by agreement assigned their manufacture to another firm. 1904 The first dividing engine was completed by George William Watts. It was so remarkable an instrument at the time and for years afterwards, In 1907 Arthur Ames went to Canada and started an organisation in Winnipeg in 1909 this became a separate company called E. R. Watts and Son Ltd. of Ottawa. This firm developed considerably and was eventually with the co-operation of three other instrument companies (Cambridge Instrument Co, Ross, and Negretti and Zambra), were reconstituted as ”Instruments Ltd” of Ottawa and Toronto. During the next ten years, the firm expanded greatly to include glass grinding, leather work, dividing and engraving, testing, adjusting and packing. This expansion was continued during the First World War when workshops were completed and the machinery installed and running within eleven weeks from the start of construction. During the war, a Sergeant Coles, among the rats, lice and mud of the trenches, fitted various bits of scrap into his cocoa tin and made the first Flash Spotter for plotting the positions of enemy guns. Coles was rushed home to the firm's factory where he and George William Watts designed a spotter not made out of a cocoa tin and as a result, the Watts Vertical Force Variometer was developed during WWI. Other Watts instruments made in the First World War included the Light Mountain Theodolites which were taken on Mt Everest expeditions. In 1919 ER Watts and Sons was incorporated as a limited company and in 1939 G. A. Whipple joined the Board of Directors. Shortly afterwards, Frank Charles Watts died having been Chairman of the firm for over 37 years and seen it through the First World War with all its expansions and difficulties. He was succeeded by his brother George William Watts with the vacant post of Managing Director being filled by G. A. Whipple. During the Second World War, the company expanded further and the number of employees rose to well over 1,300. In 1946 Watts acquired 78% of Adam Hilger and the microscope maker James Swift and Son Who were Manufacturers of Theodolites, Levels, Alidades, Meteorological Instruments, Variometers, and many other types of scientific instruments Then in 1948 the company amalgamated with Adam Hilger as Hilger and Watts which was then incorporated as a public company.Naval Rangefinder with a vertical wooden handle, and an arrangement of optical lenses. Three reversible brass inserts calibrated on both sides in yards, correspond to various base heights, (20 and 25 feet, 30 and 35 feet and 40 and 50 feet). They are fitted along the axis of the instrument. When the scale for the appropriate base height is selected and inserted, the carriage can be slid for coincidence and the distance read at the index mark on the sliding carriage.inscribed "Rangefinder Cotton Type Mk II" Calibrated scale up to 5000 yds (50 ft), 5000 yds (35 ft), 4000 yds (25 ft) made by E. R. Watts & Son.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, rangefinder, cotton type, e r watts & sons, naval range finder, marine equipment